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Monday, August 25, 2014

Hi everyone! A week ago, when one of my biggest scrap idols Heather Leopard asked me to participate in a Scrappy Blog Tour, I had to pinch myself. I wish I could tag her back, cause I have a serious scrappy crash on her! Or... maybe not just a scrappy one... ♥ I was lucky to meet her when she was on a business trip in Stockholm and yes, she is just as amazing as I thought she would be. I love Heather's bold way with patterned papers and when I grow up (ha!) I want to be just like her!

I guess you know by now how this Scrappy Blog Tour works. It's my turn to answer a few questions about my scrapbooking... So, here we go!

What am I working on right now?

I am working on next week's Monday Challenge for October Afternoon. The layout is about my daughter's 1st day at school, so I pulled out the lovely Daily Flash Milk Money collection. I got so emotional when I was writing my journaling, that I had to take a break... Since this post is going live on the same Monday as my layout, you can check out the result over at OA's blog. Here is a sneak:

How long does it take me to create a project?

I used to be a really sloooow scrapper, but it got better. A layout usually takes me 3-4 hours, which for me is extremely fast :-) I am sure I'd be faster without Facebook up and running by my side LOL. When I have a tight schedule and I really need to focus, I turn the PC off and listen to an audio book instead. Then maybe I can make it in 2-3 hours. I like to finish my layouts before I leave them. I start when the kids are asleep and stay up as long as it takes...

What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?

I am loving all the Daily Flash products from October Afternoon! There are so many different themes and colors and fun little elements to work with. I love all the tid bits and tin pins and chipboard shapes. So fun to work with! I am also in love with the Public Library collection. Can't get enough of it. Could be because we love to read in our family, so I have a lot of cute pictures to scrap :-) I am also a big fan of ephemera packs. Heidi Swapp's and Pink Paislee's are my absolute favorites! They are loaded with tons of fun little elements, perfect for adding those special touches to any layout. Oh, and Heidi's color shine! I am not a messy, artsy scrapper, but I love color shine splatters! There are also two things that I can't live without - my pink advanced tape gun and my pink magnetic mat. My lifesavers!

How does my writing/creating process work?

99% of the time, I start with a collection I want to play with. Then I go through my photos and find the one (or the series of photos) that matches the best. That usually doesn't take long. I grab my photo and start going through the papers. I spread them all over the desk. I group and re-group them, I move them around and check them against my photo. I select a few and start... I don't usually have a whole design in my head from the start. All I need is a starting point. It can be a pattern from one of the papers that I want to cut out and follow, it can be an embellishment that I want to use in a certain way... When I have my papers and my photos down, I start adding embellishments. That's usually the most time consuming part! Sometimes, I can move a single button for hours! (okay, I am exaggerating, but you get a point...). My title and my journaling are the last out. Sometimes, I write the journaling down from the top of my head, but sometimes I go away with a pen and paper and let the story behind the layout take all the time it needs...

How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

I get inspired by the products I work with. I can pull out a collection and just spend some time with it without scrapping. When I put it back, the designing process automatically begins somewhere in the back of my head (if there is chemistry between us, that is :-)). But sometimes, I need help. That's when I usually browse Pinterest for book and magazine covers or for interior designs or for patterns or color combinations... To stay inspired, I need shopping LOL Since the products themselves are my main source of inspiration, If I work with the same collection for too long, I get bored. I need a change. I need fresh stuff.

What is my signature style?

This question is the hardest of them all! I never know what to answer. I honestly have no idea. The one thing I know is that I love color and that I am not afraid to use it. I love finding new ways to use a specific product. I put a lot of effort into details. I don't know... I put together a collage of my layouts. If you are reading this, maybe you can help me define my style?

Enough about me :-) Now it's time for me to link you over to some of my favorite scrapbookers. "The rules" say that I should tag three of them, but I couldn't narrow it down to that. Sorry! I had to include at least five! LOL I wish I could have more... there are so many girls out there that I admire and look up to.

In no particular order, here are four amazing ladies I hope you will take your time to visit:

Marinette Lesne - Not only is she one of the sweetest persons I've ever met online, her layouts leave me speechless every single time! Her layers, her perfectly balanced designs, her stamping, her doodling, her photography! I could recognize her layout among thousands!

Corri Garza - My favorite card maker! I could give up layouts if I knew that I could become as half as good as her. You should hear me "awwwwww"-ing while browsing her gallery. Her cards are too cute for words!

Leanne Allinson - Every time I visit her blog, I want to switch to 8.5 x 11 format. She is amazing! Her colorful, playful creations always put a smile on my face. And above all, her work always feel so genuine. This girl scraps from her heart and soul.

Danielle de Konink - This girl has my heart! I am so lucky to call her my friend ♥ I admire her bold use of patterned papers. If you are tired of all the white backgrounds around you, you'll find her work refreshing! She has an amazing eye for details and perfect little touches. Oh, and she rocks her Cameo!

Stacey Michaud - Ever since I started to scrapbook, this girl has been my scrappy idol. She has such an unique way with paper and always comes up with those clever ideas that make me go "why didn't I think of that?" She is the reason why I started to use Webster's Pages products. A true inspiration.

Stop by these amazing ladies for some inspiration and don't forget to come back to their blogs again next Monday. It will be their turn to tell you more about themselves and link you further to some of their favorite scrapbookers.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Hi guys! I am back from my (looooong) vacation! Even though I loved and enjoyed every second of it, in a way, it is nice to be back. I've missed my pretty papers :-)

Let's kick it off with a new issue over at Paper Issues! The issue is called "Admit One" and it is sponsored by the awesome Fancy Pants Designs! Eeeeeek! ♥ The DT received their gorgeous Everyday Circus collection to play with. That's exactly the same collection that you could win if you head over to the blog and start linking up!

The layout is about my daughter and her cousin who are always ready to throw us a show. If they see anything that looks like a stage, they can't resist getting up on :-)

I hope that it shows how much fun I had playing with this collection. I loved layering all different elements that come with it.

My journaling is inside this cute little pocket.

One more close-up just because it's fun :-)

Wanna win this fun line? Jump over to Paper Issues for more inspiration and start linking up!